Keraia
Revelation 7

Revelation 7:6

144,000 Sealed · Revelation 7:1–8
Read Revelation 7

Translations

Modern
…from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
Traditional
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
Literal
…out of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, out of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, out of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,
Latin
…ex tribu Aser duodecim millia signati: ex tribu Nephthali duodecim millia signati: ex tribu Manasse duodecim millia signati:

Original

Greek
English
…from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,

Notes

Revelation 7:4–8

Who are the 144,000? This list of the tribes of Israel does not match the twelve physical tribes exactly. Instead, it shows that God knows exactly who belongs to him. By the 90s AD, Israel’s twelve tribes no longer existed. Ten tribes were scattered when Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 17:1–41).

The early Christian church saw itself symbolically as the Israel of God (Matthew 19:28; Romans 2:28–29; 9:6–8; Galatians 3:29; 6:16; Philippians 3:3). The 144,000 likely represent all faithful Christians (compare Revelation 14:1–5; 21:12–17).

The list starts with Judah, the royal tribe of Jesus, but replaces Dan with Manasseh, one of Joseph's two tribes. The tribe of Dan fell into idolatry (Judges 18:14–31; 1 Kings 12:25–30), and early Christians saw it as the symbol of evil.

Revelation 7:1–8

The first vision in the interlude shows how God protects his faithful followers from any ultimate harm.

Revelation 7:1–17

Three interludes occur in Revelation 6–14 (Revelation 7; 10:1–11:14; 12:1–14:20). These interludes explain the place of God’s holy people and help readers understand the scenes that came before them. In this first interlude, which appears before the seventh seal is opened, two visions show how God protects his people and confirms his calling on them.

Revelation 6:1–8:1

The Lamb breaks the seven seals to reveal the significance of history from God’s point of view.

Theme notes and profiles

Symbolic Numbers Visions

People

Asher: Son of Jacob and Zilpah, founder of the tribe of Asher Manasseh: Firstborn son of Joseph, blessed by Jacob Naphtali: Son of Jacob, founder of the tribe of Naphtali

Glossary

Aser Book of Esther Book of Revelation Cherub, Cherubim Manasseh (Person) Manasses Mark of God, Mark of the Beast Nepthalim New Jerusalem Numbers and Numerology Tribe of Dan Tribe of Naphtali

Topics

Israel: Number of, in John's Apocalyptic Vision Manasseh: Son of Joseph and Asenath: Called Manasses Seals: Security Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families by John Tribe of Naphtali: Prophecies Concerning Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Sealing of the One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand